Srinagar, July 15 (UNI) Thousands of Shia Muslim mourners on Monday took out the traditional Muharram procession, commemorating the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Hussain, and his companions.
The procession went off peacefully.
This is the second time in last 35 years that the traditional procession was allowed by the J&K government.
The procession was taken out from the traditional Guru Bazar to Dalgate Srinagar route via Moulana Azad Road amid foolproof security arrangements in place.
Attired in traditional black the Shia mourners including men, women and children were beating their chests and reciting religious hymns took out the procession from Guru Bazar ends in Dalgate Imambara peacefully
The mourners were shouting pro-Islam slogans and praising the greatest sacrifice by Imam Hussain, his family and other companions, moved responsibly throughout the procession and did not give any reason to anti-social elements to stoke sectarian passions.
The administration had placed adequate arrangements including water, health and other facilities at various places on the route.
Security forces were deployed in strength all along the road and at lanes and by-lanes for safe movement of the procession.
The traffic on the procession route and other connected routes were suspended and at various places it was diverted to other routes of Srinagar to allow peaceful culmination of the Muharram procession.
High security and civil administration officials were also marching with the Muharram procession.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir range V K Birdi and other civil officers of the administration monitored the procession and at places served drinks to the mourners.
The volunteers and police had set drinking water stalls at many places on the route for the mourners besides the authorities had set up emergency health services including ambulances at the procession route.
Meanwhile, the mourners lauded the authorities for allowing the procession and made adequate arrangements during the procession on various routes of Srinagar.
